The Maple Leafs leave the difficult leg of their five game road swing in the rearview mirror, with two victories in Anaheim and Los Angeles and return to the Eastern Time Zone to face the Washington Capitals in an unusual Sunday afternoon matinee.
The lower body injury suffered by goaltender Jonathan Bernier in Los Angeles on Thursday has forced the emergency recall veteran Drew MacIntyre from the Toronto Marlies. MacIntyre served as the backup for starter Christopher Gibson in the Marlies 2-1 overtime victory in Rochester on Friday night, since goalie Garret Sparks is currently with the ECHL's Orlando Solar Bears.
Numerous reports indicate that the aggravation of the lower body injury suffered by Bernier in the first period of the Leafs 3-2 victory over the Kings is not serious and not expected to keep the 25-year-old netminder long term, but according to Sportsnet's Chris Johnston, the club is planning to have Bernier undergo an MRI to determine the extent of the injury.
The Leafs have two days for travel, practice and rest before another cluster of three games in four days. After facing the Capitals, Toronto travels to Detroit to complete their lengthy sojourn with a Tuesday night bout at Joe Louis Arena, before returning to the ACC to face the Tampa Bay Lightning in a critical Atlantic Division tilt. It is likely that James Reimer will get the starts in all of the games until Bernier returns.
Depending on the prognosis of his injury, the earliest that it could be expected for Bernier's return would be next Saturday, when the Leafs host Montreal at Air Canada Center.
The #leafs are planning to have Jonathan Bernier undergo a MRI -- not yet clear if he'll have to return to Toronto to have it.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) March 15, 2014Reimer indicated to the Toronto Sun's Rob Longley that he is shown no after effects of the collision with Kings forward Jarret Stoll on Thursday. Team captain Dion Phaneuf did not participate in practice in Washington on Saturday, but his absence was described as a "maintenance day". Center Dave Bolland did skate with the club, but there is not change in his status.
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